Health

The Stressors Contributing to Addiction at College Campuses

Andrew Wyka

(8/2020) Drug and alcohol addictions is a significant problem throughout the country, and college campuses are no exception. In many respects, the college campus is ripe for this type of problem because the environment naturally contributes to social anxiety and stress in many students.

College introduces unique stressors such as new freedoms and experiences including the surroundings, people, ideas and opportunities. Some of these experiences include fraternities and sororities, dorm life, parties, and social activities. For the first time, many of these young people are now responsible for decisions affecting their daily lives. This is a natural result from leaving one’s entire support structure behind, creating a new social network, dealing with being away from home for the first time and finding less parental support. Additionally, students are adjusting to unfamiliar academic environments. The classes, assignments, and exams are usually different from anything experienced in high school and not to mention a general increase in competition between students.

To more easily socialize and fit in, many give in to the temptation to drink or explore other risky behaviors in order to cope. Much of this is driven by peer pressure. The National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health reports 37% of college students have used an illicit drug and abuse alcohol on a regular basis. This routine may then lead to addiction. Much of these behaviors also follow students from high school to the college campus.

According to the College Drug Abuse and Addiction Center (Addiction Center. Com), "those who enrolled in a full-time college program are twice as likely to abuse drugs and alcohol as those who don’t attend college." The Addiction Center attributes this to the following factors:

• Stress. As students are facing the high demands of coursework, part-time jobs, internships, social obligations and more, many turn to drugs to cope.

• Course load. More students than ever are taking stimulants, such as Adderall, to help them stay awake long enough to study or complete assignments by their due dates. All too often, these prescription drugs are obtained without a legitimate prescription. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry noted Adderall is most commonly misused by people between 18 to 25 years old. These are most often acquired from fellow students with medically approved prescriptions.

• Curiosity. College students are exploring many new aspects of their lives in personal and professional realms. It’s not uncommon for that self-exploration to dip into drug experimentation.

• Peer pressure. College students who are surrounded by other people experimenting with recreational and performance-enhancing drugs are more likely to try these substances for themselves.

Some individuals are more prone to addiction than others. They feel that they have found a way to relieve the stress of college life and eventually develop an addiction problem. It is important to understand that using drugs or alcohol can lead to dependency or addiction. Students may think they are immune and can control their behavior, but this is not true. Anyone and everyone is at risk of addiction. This will be exacerbated this year with the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on college life. The combined effect of a dwindling on-campus population and the enforcement of social distancing practices will make communicating and socializing with other students more difficult. The coronavirus has upended countless lives, and college students are no exception. The additional stress placed on students has left some struggling to manage their mental health during home quarantines, social distancing, and missed milestones and opportunities that were previously a normal part of college life.

The stressors leading to addiction will need to be closely watched in the fall as students start or continue college. The opportunity for students to socialize, make new friends and have a typical college experience will be significantly affected and thus look very different as students return to school. Many normal college activities such as dorm living, classroom layouts/lecture halls, large organized activities, rushing a fraternity or sorority, and sports may be put on hold or severely impacted.

The feeling of isolation and anxiety will follow students back to campuses who will then find themselves in very different environments than expected. These changes are compounded by other stressors such as how to pay for college, worries about future career and job prospects, and cancelled internships. It is even more important that students maintain structure in their daily lives. This includes ensuring adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise, self-care, and staying positive and focused on their goals.

Students will need to manage their stress and anxiety while on college campuses as well as utilizing distance learning. Virtual parties and get together activities, telehealth services, and resources from student health centers can help students cope with these feelings that may influence emotions leading to addictive behaviors.

Parents also have an important role in helping their students cope with college and the stresses associated with this new experience. It is more of a role of listening and support, and not adding an extra layer of pressure, which could be perceived by students as their parents not believing in them and are waiting for them to fail. This adds to the anxiety and stressors that may contribute to risky behaviors.

Here are some actions students can take to help cope:

• Create a healthy routine that includes regular sleep and work hours, nutritional balance, and plenty of exercise.
• Establish and maintain goals – even a small goal to complete in a day.
• Maintain connections with contacts virtually or while remaining physically distanced.
• Seek medical treatment, if necessary. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers are still open during COVID-19 to provide essential treatment to those who need it.
• Keep a positive attitude and a busy mind. This may include reading recovery-oriented literature, practicing prayer and meditation, and engaging in healthy hobbies when possible.

Andrew Wyka is a Senior at West Virginia University in a Multi-Disciplinary Studies Program including Drug Addiction, Sociology and Marketing